Chesapeake, VA

Census Place

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2021 Population

247,172

1.86% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

37.1

0.27% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

7.95%

6.24% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$85,563

5.29% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$291,700

1.99% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

115,237

2.58% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Chesapeake, VA had a population of 247k people with a median age of 37.1 and a median household income of $85,563. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Chesapeake, VA grew from 242,647 to 247,172, a 1.86% increase and its median household income grew from $81,261 to $85,563, a 5.29% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Chesapeake, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (55.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.5%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.43%), and White (Hispanic) (2.55%).

None of the households in Chesapeake, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.5% of the residents in Chesapeake, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chesapeake, VA are Centura College-Chesapeake (145 degrees awarded in 2021) and Sentara College of Health Sciences (232885) (141 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Chesapeake, VA was $291,700, and the homeownership rate was 72.7%.

Most people in Chesapeake, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Chesapeake, VA was 2 cars per household.

United States Virginia Chesapeake city, VA Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Portsmouth & Norfolk (Southwest) Cities PUMA, VA Chesapeake City (Northeast) PUMA, VA Chesapeake City (South & West) PUMA, VA

Population & Diversity

Chesapeake, VA is home to a population of 247k people, from which 97.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 6.27% of Chesapeake, VA residents were born outside of the country (15.5k people).

In 2021, there were 1.94 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (138k people) in Chesapeake, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 71.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 11.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.5%

2021 Citizenship

97.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.5% of Chesapeake, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Chesapeake, VA was 97.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chesapeake, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Chesapeake, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
138k ± 973
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
71.2k ± 906
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
11.1k ± 1.33k

6.81%

Hispanic Population

16.8k people

6.81% of the people in Chesapeake, VA are hispanic (16.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Chesapeake, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
109,039 ± 8,055 people
India
96,011 ± 7,565 people
Mexico
59,097 ± 5,948 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 109,039 Virginia residents, followed by India with 96,011 and Mexico with 59,097.

Foreign-Born Population

6.27%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

15.5k people

5.99%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

14.5k people

As of 2021, 6.27% of Chesapeake, VA residents (15.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chesapeake, VA was 5.99%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chesapeake, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
12,628 ± 1,119
Vietnam
5,575 ± 553
Gulf War (1990s)
5,312 ± 595

Chesapeake, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.27 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Chesapeake, VA employs 115k people. The largest industries in Chesapeake, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,999 people), Retail Trade (12,061 people), and Public Administration (11,470 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($100,882), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($85,048), and Public Administration ($77,917).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $63,894. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

115k

2021 Value

± 3,021

2.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.57%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Chesapeake, VA grew at a rate of 2.58%, from 112k employees to 115k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chesapeake, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,550 people), Management Occupations (12,143 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (11,517 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chesapeake, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

115k

2021 Value

± 3,021

2.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.57%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Chesapeake, VA grew at a rate of 2.58%, from 112k employees to 115k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chesapeake, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,999 people), Retail Trade (12,061 people), and Public Administration (11,470 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chesapeake, VA, though some of these residents may live in Chesapeake, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,743

Median earning men ± $1,881

$35,983

Median earning women ± $1,546

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($87,599), Information ($79,535), and Wholesale Trade ($72,917).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($59,816), Manufacturing ($50,979), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,137).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.7B, followed by Electronics ($29B) and Machinery ($23.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$313B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

95.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $313B. This is expected to increase 95.3% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $26B, followed by Maryland with $18.5B and Pennsylvania and $12.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Chesapeake, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (54.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.45%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Chesapeake, VA awarded 286 degrees. The student population of Chesapeake, VA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 98 male students and 934 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chesapeake, VA are White (122 and 42.7%), followed by Black or African American (96 and 33.6%), Two or More Races (33 and 11.5%), and Asian (15 and 5.24%).

The largest universities in Chesapeake, VA by number of degrees awarded are Centura College-Chesapeake (145 and 50.7%) and Sentara College of Health Sciences (232885) (141 and 49.3%).

The most popular majors in Chesapeake, VA are Registered Nursing (96 and 33.6%), Medical Office Assistant (77 and 26.9%), and Massage Therapy (34 and 11.9%).

The median tuition cost in Chesapeake, VA for private four year colleges is $378.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,032 students enrolled in Chesapeake, VA, 9.5% men and 90.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 480 records, of which 93.3% were women and 6.67% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Nursing Practice
16 degree-majors awarded
Office Management & Supervision
4 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
88 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Chesapeake, VA was Nursing Practice with 16 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Chesapeake, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Centura College-Chesapeake
145 degrees awarded
Sentara College of Health Sciences (232885)
141 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Centura College-Chesapeake with 145 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 46 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chesapeake, VA, which is 0.192 times less than the 240 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 122 degrees mean that there were 1.27 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 96 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,259) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($3,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Measure

In 2021, 0.836% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.859% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.68M), Bachelors Degree (1.44M), and Some college (1.41M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Chesapeake, VA was $291,700 in 2021, which is 1.19 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $286,000 to $291,700, a 1.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Chesapeake, VA is 72.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Chesapeake, VA have an average commute time of 26.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Chesapeake, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Chesapeake, VA is $85,563. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Chesapeake, VA was Census Tract 210.13 with a value of $143,190, followed by Census Tract 210.09 and Census Tract 210.11, with respective values of $140,179 and $131,813.

Housing

Property

$291,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,139

$64,970

Median Property Taxes

±$1,962

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chesapeake, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Chesapeake, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.7%

Homeownership

2021

71.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 72.7% of the housing units in Chesapeake, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 72.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Chesapeake, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 210.13
Census Tract 210.09
Census Tract 210.11

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Chesapeake, VA was Census Tract 210.13 with a value of $143,190, followed by Census Tract 210.09 and Census Tract 210.11, with respective values of $140,179 and $131,813.

The following map shows all of the places in Chesapeake, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$85,563

Median Household Income

± $1,957

89.4k

Number of Households

± 2,405

In 2021, the median household income of the 89.4k households in Chesapeake, VA grew to $85,563 from the previous year's value of $81,261.

The following chart displays the households in Chesapeake, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Chesapeake, VA is from Virginia.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2021, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.381% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80.2%)
Carpooled (8.72%)
Worked At Home (7.85%)

In 2021, 80.2% of workers in Chesapeake, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.72%) and those who worked at home (7.85%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chesapeake, VA have a shorter commute time (26.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.49% of the workforce in Chesapeake, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chesapeake, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chesapeake, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chesapeake, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

7.95% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chesapeake, VA (19.3k out of 242k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chesapeake, VA is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.3% of the population of Chesapeake, VA has health coverage, with 44.7% on employee plans, 9.56% on Medicaid, 9.04% on Medicare, 17.9% on non-group plans, and 12.1% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Virginia was $7,556 in 2014. This is a 3.42% increase from the previous year ($7,306).

Primary care physicians in Chesapeake city, VA see 1243 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.893% increase from the previous year (1232 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1930 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 686 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Chesapeake city, VA.

1,243 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Chesapeake city, VA

Primary care physicians in Chesapeake city, VA see an average of 1,243 patients per year. This represents a 0.893% increase from the previous year (1,232 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Chesapeake city, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27% under 18 years, 19.4% between 18 and 34 years, 39.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.74%

Uninsured

44.7%

Employer Coverage

9.56%

Medicaid

9.04%

Medicare

17.9%

Non-Group

12.1%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chesapeake, VA declined by 1.57% from 6.84% to 6.74%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chesapeake, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.